By Dipanjan Ghosh
The author is based in Burdwan, West Bengal,
keyurghosh777@hotmail.com.

Plants have varying capacity to absorb water for sustenance. While a large tree may absorb a huge amount, others may store water for use during scarcity. A judiciously planned layout that accredits the physiological background of a plant is a must before using it for ground water reclamation.

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The water crisis in Darjeeling hills of India has become common knowledge. A mix of human and physical factors such as the arrival of refugees, yearly influx of tourists, indiscriminate use of underground water and irregular rainfall have contributed to this state of affairs. However, a little known cause for this water shortage can be traced to the Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) trees, locally known as Dhuppi - widespread in Darjeeling and brought to the hills by the British. Recent...